Beverage Cartridge Membrane Segmentation for Liquid-Dry Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage cartridges are limited in their ability to contain both dry and liquid beverage mediums without mixing them prematurely, which prevents the creation of beverages that require both, such as Irish Coffee, due to permeable filters allowing liquids like alcohol to spoil the dry medium.

Innovation Solution

A beverage cartridge design featuring a container with a membrane that separates into two chambers, a filter in one chamber for the dry beverage medium, and a fluid in the other, where the membrane is selectively opened by a valve or frangible joint to allow interaction only during beverage formation, preventing premature mixing and spoilage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a permeable filter is used to separate dry beverage medium and liquid portions in a cartridge, then liquid can flow through the filter to interact with the dry medium, but the liquid will permeate the filter and spoil the dry beverage medium during storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage formation capabilityVSAvoidbeverage medium quality preservation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge interior is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber containing the dry beverage medium and a second chamber containing the liquid. This segmentation prevents direct contact between the dry medium and liquid during storage, eliminating the spoilage problem while allowing both components to be present in the same cartridge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A valve mechanism acts as an intermediary between the two chambers. The valve remains closed during storage to prevent liquid from reaching the dry medium, and opens only during beverage formation to allow controlled interaction. This intermediary controls the timing of liquid-dry medium contact to prevent spoilage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single chamber cartridge with permeable filter is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot contain both dry and liquid beverage mediums without mixing them prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage type varietyVSAvoidcartridge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge is segmented into two chambers separated by a valve mechanism. This allows the cartridge to contain both dry and liquid beverage mediums in a single unit while preventing premature mixing, enabling versatility for different beverage types without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve mechanism provides dynamic control over the separation and connection of the two chambers. During storage, the valve maintains separation; during beverage formation, the valve opens to allow mixing. This dynamic behavior enables the cartridge to adapt between storage and operation modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the creation of a wide range of beverages by allowing the dry and liquid ingredients to mix only during the brewing process, maintaining the quality of both components and producing beverages like coffee, tea, and Irish Coffee effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a membrane disposed within the interior space and defining a first chamber and a second chamber within the interior space, wherein the membrane is configured to selectively isolate the first and second chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical separation through membrane: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

a filter disposed within the first chamber, wherein the filter is arranged to contain a first beverage medium arranged to interact with the pressurized liquid introduced into the container to form the beverage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the beverage forming machine introduces a pressurized fluid into the cartridge to interact with the beverage medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9227778B2Beverage cartridge

Publication Date: 2016.01.05 FUSIONLINK LLC

AI summary

A beverage cartridge is provided for use in forming a beverage in a beverage machine that provides a pressurized liquid. The cartridge includes a container having an interior space; a rim; a lid attached to the rim and closing the opening of the container, wherein the lid accommodates an inflow of the pressurized liquid; a membrane disposed within the interior space and defining a first chamber and a second chamber within the interior space, wherein the membrane is configured to selectively isolate the first and second chamber; a fluid stored within the second chamber wherein the fluid is arranged to interact with the pressurized liquid introduced into the container to form the beverage; and a filter disposed within the first chamber, wherein the filter is arranged to contain a first beverage medium arranged to interact with the pressurized liquid introduced into the container to form the beverage.